Durbin, Duckworth Lead Illinois Delegation in Urging President Biden to Grant Federal Disaster Declaration for Central Illinois Following Severe Summer Weather
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today led every member of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to President Biden urging the White House to grant Governor J.B. Pritzker’s request forfederal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Illinois, to help 27 Central Illinois counties recover from storm damage. From late June to early July, severe storms passed through Central Illinois producing heavy rainfall, flash flooding, hail, tornadoes, and straight-line winds, as well as five tornadoes with winds exceeding 100 miles per hour.
“We write in support of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s request forfederal assistance for the State of Illinois, to help 27 counties recover from storm damage that occurred from late June to early July,” wrote the lawmakers.
“Governor Pritzker has indicated that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that an effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and local governments. He requests Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance to aid recovery in the following counties: Adams, Calhoun, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Greene, Hancock, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, McDonough, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Scott, St. Clair, Vermilion, Warren, and Washington,” the lawmakers wrote.
The lawmakers continued their letter, emphasizing the severity of the storms that hit Central Illinois over June and July.
“A derecho yielding five tornadoes also passed through Central Illinois, with winds exceeding 100 miles per hour in several counties. This severe weather resulted in significant power outages and roadway interruptions due to flooding. Subsequent damage has impacted homeowners, businesses, and local governments,” the lawmakers wrote. “As such, the Governor seeks timely federal assistance from FEMA.”
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
August 29, 2023
Dear Mr. President:
We write in support of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s request forfederal assistance for the State of Illinois, to help 27 counties recover from storm damage that occurred from late June to early July.
Governor Pritzker has indicated that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that an effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and local governments. He requests Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance to aid recovery in the following counties: Adams, Calhoun, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Greene, Hancock, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, McDonough, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Scott, St. Clair, Vermilion, Warren, and Washington. He also requests federal disaster assistance through the Small Business Administration (SBA), including low-interest disaster loan access, for these counties as well as those contiguous to them.
During this period, severe storms passed through Illinois producing heavy rainfall, flash flooding, hail, tornadoes, and straight-line winds. A derecho yielding five tornadoes also passed through Central Illinois, with winds exceeding 100 miles per hour in several counties. This severe weather resulted in significant power outages and roadway interruptions due to flooding. Subsequent damage has impacted homeowners, businesses, and local governments. As such, the Governor seeks timely federal assistance from FEMA.
Thank you in advance for your timely consideration of this important request. We stand ready to assist in any way appropriate.
Sincerely,
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